Kiss Me

The gate creaks announcing a delivery The postman shoulders loves load A mail bag full to the brim of cards Intimate declarations amongst the bills

Falls to the doormat, letterbox springs shut A valentine enveloped in romantic red Alone in lockdown I pick up my new hope A joke? A kindness? A mystery?

Unexpected after years of singularity Cupids calling card opened without delay Heart captioned Be My Valentine Opens to two words handwritten

“Kiss me” enigmatic promise Excites and puzzles in equal measure Whose soft lips will caress mine Sweet thoughts of affection and desire,

“Kiss me.” Calligraphy left no clue Identity parade of possibilities A line up within my mind but no prime suspect Kisses imagined as I blush

“Kiss me.” will I see it in their eyes? Is my soulmate lost in plain sight? A number24 the unexpected answer Re-examined envelope addressed to next door

“Kiss me” Maybe next year.